Following the tragic roof collapse at Al-Khair Education System in Peshawar’s Deir Colony, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to conduct a comprehensive structural safety survey and technical inspection of government school buildings across the province.
In this regard, the Communication and Works (C&W) Department has been directed to designate expert technical teams in all districts to conduct a detailed assessment of the condition of government educational institutions.
According to a letter sent to the Communication and Works Department, the move is being undertaken on the instructions of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor’s Adviser on Education. Following the roof collapse at a private school in Deir Colony, which resulted in the loss of precious lives and injuries to students and teachers, the need to assess safety arrangements and the structural integrity of educational institutions has been emphasized.
Technical Teams to Be Designated in All Districts
The letter directs the C&W Department to coordinate with the relevant district education authorities and designate expert technical teams for all districts across the province. These teams will be required to conduct a comprehensive survey and on-site inspection of all government school buildings in their respective districts.
The survey will assess structural strength, overall physical condition, maintenance arrangements, and the safety of buildings for students, teachers, and other staff. The inspection will cover government educational institutions for both boys and girls to ensure that no school is left uninspected.
Roofs, Walls and Foundations to Be Examined
The designated technical teams will conduct detailed inspections of key components of school buildings. These will include roofs, ceilings, walls, beams, foundations, staircases, and other structural elements to identify defects and potential safety hazards in a timely manner.
Based on the inspection findings, school buildings will be divided into three categories. The first will include safe buildings, the second will comprise buildings requiring repairs or improvements, and the third will cover buildings that may be unsafe and require immediate technical assessment.
Recommendation to Restrict Use of Dangerous Buildings
The letter states that if a school building poses an immediate threat to the lives and safety of students, teachers, or other staff, the relevant district authorities must be informed immediately. Necessary precautionary measures will be recommended for such buildings, including restricting access or suspending their use where required.
The technical teams will also prepare recommendations for necessary repairs, structural strengthening, rehabilitation, and other corrective measures. These recommendations must specify the priority of each task and the proposed timeline for its completion.
According to the letter, an effective action plan will be proposed to address safety deficiencies and obtain the required technical approvals for buildings where defects are identified. It also emphasizes that the necessary corrective measures and technical clearance must be secured before any unsafe building is put back into use.
October 26 Deadline for Submission of Reports
The C&W Department has been directed to complete the survey through the designated teams and submit comprehensive inspection reports for each district to the relevant department by 12 noon on October 26, 2026.
The reports must include inspection findings, building classifications, identified defects, proposed corrective measures, and timelines for implementation. This will help compile details regarding the current condition of government school buildings across the province and identify issues requiring immediate attention.
Safety Certificate and NOC Made Mandatory for Every School
According to the directive, after completion of the survey and technical assessment, the designated teams will also be required to issue a Building Safety Clearance Certificate or No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for every government school inspected.
The certificate must clearly establish the building’s structural safety and suitability for normal use. If specific conditions or corrective measures are required before a building can be used, these must also be detailed in the certificate.
The letter describes the exercise as a matter of public importance and directs that it be treated as a top priority. The primary objective is to identify potential safety hazards in government school buildings across the province, recommend necessary corrective measures, and ensure timely action to protect the lives and safety of students, teachers, and other staff.
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